The Department of Workforce Development said a new round of grant funding totaling $2.25 million is available for health care employers to help train workers and fill critical workforce needs.
The Wisconsin Fast Forward program helps develop and implement a “strategic industry partnership program for high-demand health sciences, health care and related occupations,” DWD said in a statement.
Gov. Tony Evers secured $250,000 in funding for the program during each year of the biennium in the biennial budget as a way to help address health care worker shortages.
“Wisconsin’s health care industry has long struggled to attract and retain qualified health care workers to provide the essential care that our families, friends and loved ones rely on,” Evers said in a statement. “My administration has made it a priority to address Wisconsin’s workforce shortages, and increasing access to health care workforce training is a surefire way to help fill in the gaps.”
Awards from the grant range between $5,000 to $400,000. Funds can be used to reimburse health care employers’ costs associated with developing training with partners like nonprofits, community organizations and more.
Health care workers make up 15.3% of the state’s employment.
